The Section of Bioinformatics, DTU Health Tech is world leading within Immunoinformatics and Machine-Learning. Currently, we, together with Lonza Cambridge, UK, are seeking a highly talented and motivated Postdoc candidate within the field of Immunoinformatics and prediction of T cell immunogenicity.
HLA class II antigen presentation form the cornerstone of T-helper cell immunogenicity. Over the last decade HLA class II antigen presentation has been accurately described and methods developed that predict this event with a high level of confidence. In comparison, a detailed understanding of the rules defining the T cell immunogenicity of the HLA antigen presented peptides remains very limited.
This greatly limits the applicability of current antigen presentation (in-silico and experimental) quantification tools, holding back early immunogenicity risk assessment in the context of protein drug development. A clearer understanding of the rules governing T cell activation would form a paradigm shift in development of Biologics. A critical challenge preventing this is the current limiting volume of high quality and well-characterized in-vitro T cell immunogenicity data.
In this project, we will benefit from Lonza's expertise and technology within peptide T cell immunogenicity, and the vast expertise within immunoinformatics and machine learning models at DTU to address this challenge. This will enable the first prediction model for T cell immunogenicity of HLA class II antigen presented peptides in the context of protein drugs.
If you're looking to launch your scientific career at the intersection of bioinformatics and machine learning, this position supports a pathway toward academic excellence and research independence - whilst also offering a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with a global pharmaceutical leader.
Responsibilities and qualifications
The project will be conducted in the inspiring environment at the Section of Bioinformatics at DTU Health Tech as part of the IML research group led by Professor Morten Nielsen and within the group of Dr Michael Hodskinson, Lonza Early Development Services, Cambridge, UK.
At DTU, your main focus will be centered on further developing the competences of the IML group within prediction of T cell immunogenicity and immunoinformatics in general. You will work with nearby bioinformatics, postdocs and PhD students working on other projects within the group and experimental immunology colleagues. At Lonza, your main focus will be on data curation and data generation, working closely with scientific colleagues in our immunology laboratories.
As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent).
The successful candidate must moreover exhibit the following professional and personal qualifications:
- Strong background within machine learning learning, and immunoinformatics is a requirement
- Knowledge of the basic concepts of the cellular immune system or a background in experimental immunology is desirable
- Capability of taking personal responsibility for your work and your results
- Flexibility and a general positive attitude to changes
- Motivation by both individual and team accomplishments
- Strong communication skills in both written and verbal English
We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.
Salary and terms of employment
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.
The period of employment is 3 yearswith starting date 1 September 2025 or as soon as possible hereafter.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here .
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Morten Nielsen, and at Immunoinformatics and Machine Learning (IML) .
You can read more about DTU Health Tech at .
If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU - Moving to Denmark .
Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than Monday 30 June 2025 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:
- Application (cover letter)
- CV
- Academic Diplomas(MSc/PhD - in English)
- List of publications
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.
Section of Bioinformatics, DTU
The section of Bioinformatics within DTU Health Tech has its main research and teaching activities in bio-medical and bio-technological informatics, metagenomics, epidemiology, integrative systems biology and machine learning. The research at DTU Bioinformatics is focused on bioinformatics and computational analyses of large amounts of data generated within biological, biomedical and biotechnological and life sciences area. We strive to gain new knowledge and drive innovation in human, animal, plant and food science and collaborate with all relevant industries. A cornerstone in achieving this is the dedicated effort within DTU Bioinformatics to develop bioinformatics, immuno-informatics, metagenomics and systems biology methods and solutions to the challenge of handling and interpreting large scale and heterogeneous big data.
DTU Health Tech engages in research, education, and innovation base on technical and natural science for the healthcare sector. The Healthcare sector is a globally expanding market with demands for the most advanced technological solutions. DTU Health Tech creates the foundation for companies to develop new and innovative services and products which benefit people and create value for society. DTU Health Techs expertise spans from imaging and biosensor techniques, across digital health and biological modelling, to biopharma technologies. The department has a scientific staff of about 210 persons, 130 PhD students and a technical/administrative support staff of about 160 persons, of which a large majority contributes to our research infrastructure and related commercial activities.
Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.
Lonza
Today Lonza is a global leader in life sciences. While we work in science, there's no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that's the kind of work we want to be part of.
Every day, Lonza's products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.
People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.